Good values in budget used cars
2003 Mercury Sable This is one Merc you can easily afford. The Taurus’ upscale twin offers slightly better reliability ratings and the same stalwart crash-test scores. Factor in standard antilock brakes and available side air bags - they were installed on nearly one-fifth of all ‘03 Sables - and you have a solid commuter car. As with the Taurus, the stronger Duratec V-6 is well worth the upgrade.
With antilock brakes, side air bags and 60,000 miles, prices range from $9,000 to $11,500 for the Sable sedan; wagons should sell for $10,000 to $13,000. 2002 Buick LeSabre You don’t need a Modern Maturity subscription to appreciate the LeSabre.
It’s a comfortable car for drivers young and old, and the ‘02 model came chock full of safety features: antilock brakes, side air bags, and active head restraints were standard, and there was an optional electronic stability system - a rare safety feature five years ago. Most models have a front bench seat, which expands capacity to six. Reliability and crash-test scores are impeccable. With 70,000 miles, a LeSabre Custom runs around $9,000.
A well-appointed LeSabre Limited should cost about $12,000. 2002 Chevrolet Impala The Impala is Chevy’s workaday sedan, and the 2000-05 iteration arguably boasted sharper styling than its anonymous successor. There’s no four-cylinder, so overall gas mileage maxes out in the low-20s. The roomy cabin, good reliability ratings and even better crash-test scores make the Impala a sound choice for budget-minded families.